The Wheel of Life – Environment

Discover with us Environment – one of the field in The Wheel of Life

The Polish organisation Fundacja Wyobraź Sobie, in collaboration with Aspira from Slovenia, has launched an Erasmus+ project titled The Wheel of Life in the field of adult education. The goal of the project is to develop in-depth methods and approaches for working with various aspects of the Wheel of Life, with each partner selecting areas they find particularly relevant. Each month, the project focuses on one specific area: 

• In January, the focus was on Finance.
• In February, we explored Relationships.
• March was dedicated to Health, and
• In April, we focused on Family.
• In May, we focused on Work. 
• In June, we focused on the Environment. 

To explore the topic of the Environment, we organised one online workshop and two in-person workshops. During these sessions, we delved into several key areas, including:

Rethinking our future: why the environment matters more than ever

In the 21st century, environmental sustainability is no longer a choice – it is a necessity. The state of our planet impacts everything: our health, economies, food systems, and the future of our generations. As climate change accelerates and natural resources become increasingly scarce, we are called not only to act but also to rethink how we live, learn, work, and create.

The Role of GreenComp in Shaping Sustainable Citizens

To build a sustainable future, we need more than policies – we need people equipped with the right mindset and skills. The European Commission’s GreenComp (European Sustainability Competence Framework) provides a blueprint for empowering individuals with the knowledge, values, and capabilities to act sustainably.

It emphasises systemic thinking, critical reflection, empathy, collaboration, and a vision for long-term well-being. Whether you’re a teacher, student, policymaker, or entrepreneur, developing green competences is a key step toward becoming part of the solution.

Innovation Through Design Thinking

Environmental challenges are complex, but they are also opportunities for innovation. Design Thinking, a human-centred and solution-driven methodology, allows us to create practical, inclusive, and impactful answers to sustainability problems.

By prototyping, testing, and designing with users in mind – and increasingly with the planet in mind – we can shape products, services, and systems that are both functional and responsible.

The Rise of Green Jobs

This green transition is already reshaping the job market. The future belongs to green jobs: renewable energy engineers, sustainable architects, circular economy experts, environmental analysts, ESG consultants, urban farmers, and more.

These roles combine technical skills with a deep understanding of ecological impact. Investing in green careers means investing in long-term resilience, both economically and environmentally.

Green Transition: What It Means for Europe – and Us

The European Green Deal aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. This involves reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy, rethinking mobility, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring that the transition is equitable and inclusive.

But this is not just about policy – it’s about people. Every small decision we make, from the way we commute to what we consume, is part of the green transition. We are all contributors to—and beneficiaries of—a healthier, more balanced future.

A Shared Responsibility

Building a sustainable world is not the sole responsibility of governments. It’s a collective effort that starts with awareness, is powered by education, and comes to life through action. When individuals develop green competences, apply creative thinking, and pursue meaningful green careers, the shift from intention to impact becomes real.

Now is the time to rethink not just our systems, but ourselves.

FOR YOU: 

1. Design thinking (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQytKCT563I) 
2. Positive sustainable stories around the world (Sam Bentley‘s IG and YT profile) (https://www.youtube.com/@itsSamBentley and https://www.instagram.com/sambentley/)  
3. TedX Talk: Eco-anxiety to Climate Optimism (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBq31tsG2X4) 
4. GreenComp – European Sustainability Competence Framework  (https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/greencomp-european-sustainability-competence-framework/greencomp-conceptual-reference-model_en)

Slovene: 

1. Evropski okvir kompetenc  za trajnostnost (https://www.zrss.si/pdf/greencomp.pdf)
2. Zeleni prehod (https://reform-support.ec.europa.eu/what-we-do/green-transition_sl)
3. Virtual escape room on food chain and the environment (https://view.genially.com/645a550cb2efc50019195d65)

Polski:

1. Historie światozmieniaczy/ek działających na rzecz środowiska (https://www.exchangetheworld.info/changemakers/tags/ecology)
2. Spacerownik – miejsca odpowiedzialne społecznie i ekologicznie (https://www.ekonsument.pl/spacerownik/)
3. Materiały na temat Edukacji Globalnej (https://teg.edu.pl/edukacja-globalna; https://www.globalna.edu.pl/; https://www.globalna.edu.pl/; https://globalna.ceo.org.pl/tematy/edukacja-globalna/) 

The Wheel of Life project is co-financed by the European Union. Its main objective is to prepare, test, and share tools for holistic development among adult learners in eight key areas: Family, Relationships, Work, Finances, Relaxation, Health, Environment, and Self-Development.